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bepisaun's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this trilogy and this book most of all. The elements of it really come to fruition in the final moments
kmjkelsi's review
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wmhenrymorris's review
A nicely satisfying conclusion to the series although without the emotional resonance of The Kestrel (the middle book of the trilogy). But as a whole the series is about as good of an introduction to revolution and political theory and zealotry and friendship and love as you can find in young adult fiction.
csd17's review
4.0
There is an emotional complexity to this series that I never can quite grasp. As much as I love Lloyd Alexander it's like stepping into his "Bluebeard" chamber where he keeps all of his personal corpses. Even his comedic characters fail to take the edge off of this conclusion Don't get me wrong, I love Theo. But Theo, even with the ending he is granted, will never be the Theo that I rooted so desperately for in Westmark. He will forever be haunted by thoughts of the past.
magus_eden's review
5.0
This series is every bit as fantastic as I remember finding it when I was eleven, and although I generally want to marry all of Alexander's leading ladies, Mickle is probably the one I adore most.
And that's my last read of 2020, so it's time to assign my annual idiosyncratic awards to the books from my reading year.
Best Re-Encounter:
A re-read that I got much more out of the second time around
[b:Return of the Thief|11503920|Return of the Thief (The Queen's Thief, #6)|Megan Whalen Turner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531833605l/11503920._SY75_.jpg|16439607] by Megan Whalen Turner (plus [b:The Thief|448873|The Thief (The Queen's Thief, #1)|Megan Whalen Turner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1427740839l/448873._SY75_.jpg|1069505], which is a whole new book to me now, and probably the rest of the series as I work my way through it again in 2021)
Honorable Mention: [b:Westmark|24783|Westmark (Westmark, #1)|Lloyd Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415388210l/24783._SY75_.jpg|2994137] by Lloyd Alexander (and sequels [b:The Kestrel|26571|The Kestrel (Westmark, #2)|Lloyd Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415046969l/26571._SY75_.jpg|2188707] and [b:The Beggar Queen|116435|The Beggar Queen (Westmark, #3)|Lloyd Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309213317l/116435._SY75_.jpg|1271717]), as well the entirety of A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (2020 has been the year of re-reading)
Worst Re-Encounter:
A once-beloved book that wasn't quite as good as I remembered
[b:The Perilous Gard|195381|The Perilous Gard|Elizabeth Marie Pope|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441373154l/195381._SY75_.jpg|2210482] by Elizabeth Marie Pope
It Isn't You, It's Me:
A book I didn't really enjoy or didn't quite "get," but I suspect I'm missing something
[b:Under the Net|11324|Under the Net|Iris Murdoch|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388423609l/11324._SY75_.jpg|3257831] by Iris Murdoch
From the Jaws of Defeat:
A book that almost bested me, but I made it through and it was worth it
[b:Manservant and Maidservant|410138|Manservant and Maidservant|Ivy Compton-Burnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347762256l/410138._SY75_.jpg|399423] by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Honorable Mention: [b:The Group|387348|The Group|Mary McCarthy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545419472l/387348._SX50_.jpg|1496165] by Mary McCarthy
Exceeded Expectations:
A book that was even better than my high hopes
[b:If on a Winter's Night a Traveler|374233|If on a Winter's Night a Traveler|Italo Calvino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528312857l/374233._SY75_.jpg|1116802] by Italo Calvino and [b:The Charioteer|67699|The Charioteer|Mary Renault|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389484698l/67699._SY75_.jpg|2758240] by Mary Renault
Honorable Mention: [b:The Phantom Tollbooth|378|The Phantom Tollbooth|Norton Juster|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558858485l/378._SX50_.jpg|1782584] by Norton Juster
Best Surprise:
A book for which I had low or no expectations that absolutely blew me away
[b:How Much of These Hills Is Gold|45895362|How Much of These Hills Is Gold|C. Pam Zhang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566270729l/45895362._SY75_.jpg|62220397] by C. Pam Zhang
Honorable Mention: [b:The Professor's House|48203|The Professor's House|Willa Cather|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328729214l/48203._SY75_.jpg|342924] by Willa Cather
Worst Surprise:
A book for which I had high expectations that was a big disappointment
[b:The Two Faces of January|385078|The Two Faces of January|Patricia Highsmith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347671144l/385078._SY75_.jpg|374805] by Patricia Highsmith (and that's your second year in a row taking this trophy, Pat - do we need to have a talk?)
Biggest Stinker:
A book that was all-around bleh
[b:The City of Your Final Destination|8044380|The City of Your Final Destination|Peter Cameron|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408325161l/8044380._SX50_.jpg|261980] by Peter Cameron
(Dis)honorable Mention: [b:The End of the Affair|29641|The End of the Affair|Graham Greene|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328010344l/29641._SY75_.jpg|267229] by Graham Greene
Best of SFF:
The sci-fi/fantasy highlight of the year
[b:A Memory Called Empire|37794149|A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan #1)|Arkady Martine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526486698l/37794149._SY75_.jpg|59457173] by Arkady Martine and [b:Return of the Thief|11503920|Return of the Thief (The Queen's Thief, #6)|Megan Whalen Turner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531833605l/11503920._SY75_.jpg|16439607] by Megan Whalen Turner
Loveliest Listening:
A book I'm particularly glad I experienced as an audiobook
[b:Amberlough|29939270|Amberlough (The Amberlough Dossier, #1)|Lara Elena Donnelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462547662l/29939270._SY75_.jpg|50329881] by Lara Elena Donnelly (and sequels [b:Armistice|35427530|Armistice (The Amberlough Dossier, #2)|Lara Elena Donnelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506181224l/35427530._SX50_.jpg|56805208] and [b:Amnesty|39863305|Amnesty (The Amberlough Dossier, #3)|Lara Elena Donnelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530055947l/39863305._SX50_.jpg|56805212]) for absolutely fabulous narration and characterization by Mary Robinette Kowal
Honorable Mention: [b:The Privilege of the Sword|821583|The Privilege of the Sword (Riverside, #2)|Ellen Kushner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389595637l/821583._SY75_.jpg|4003] by Ellen Kushner, mostly for Kushner's own fantastic reading in this "illuminated audiobook"
Guiltiest Pleasure:
A book that may not have enriched my intellect, but definitely made me smile
[b:Slippery Creatures|52237989|Slippery Creatures (The Will Darling Adventures #1)|K.J. Charles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587519719l/52237989._SY75_.jpg|77319427] by K. J. Charles (and sequel [b:The Sugared Game|52237997|The Sugared Game (The Will Darling Adventures #2)|K.J. Charles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1595250042l/52237997._SY75_.jpg|77319499]; I can hardly wait for the final installment this summer)
Honorable Mention: [b:The Castle of Otranto|12923|The Castle of Otranto|Horace Walpole|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1390597628l/12923._SY75_.jpg|46432] by Horace Walpole
So Glad It Was Assigned:
A fantastic book I read for school that I would probably never have picked up on my own
[b:Ways of Dying|95826|Ways of Dying (Toloki #1)|Zakes Mda|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312004397l/95826._SX50_.jpg|92359] by Zakes Mda
Best Laugh:
A book that caused me public embarrassment
[b:Holidays on Ice|4136|Holidays on Ice|David Sedaris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328330843l/4136._SX50_.jpg|674383] by David Sedaris
Honorable Mention: [b:Reginald|6818303|Reginald|Saki|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1266899479l/6818303._SY75_.jpg|7027035] by Saki
Best Cry:
A book that caused me a different kind of public embarrassment
[b:How Much of These Hills Is Gold|45895362|How Much of These Hills Is Gold|C. Pam Zhang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566270729l/45895362._SY75_.jpg|62220397] by C. Pam Zhang
Honorable Mention: [b:A Memory Called Empire|37794149|A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan #1)|Arkady Martine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526486698l/37794149._SY75_.jpg|59457173] by Arkady Martine
Best New Author:
The best author I read for the first time in 2020
[a:Mary Renault|38185|Mary Renault|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1378247630p2/38185.jpg]
Honorable Mentions: [a:C Pam Zhang|21029784|C Pam Zhang|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Arkady Martine|13803582|Arkady Martine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1517495486p2/13803582.jpg]
Book of the Year:
Whether because it was the best reading experience, gave me the most to think about, or was the most productively frustrating, the book I'm most glad to have read in 2020
[b:The Charioteer|67699|The Charioteer|Mary Renault|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389484698l/67699._SY75_.jpg|2758240] by Mary Renault
And that's my last read of 2020, so it's time to assign my annual idiosyncratic awards to the books from my reading year.
Best Re-Encounter:
A re-read that I got much more out of the second time around
[b:Return of the Thief|11503920|Return of the Thief (The Queen's Thief, #6)|Megan Whalen Turner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531833605l/11503920._SY75_.jpg|16439607] by Megan Whalen Turner (plus [b:The Thief|448873|The Thief (The Queen's Thief, #1)|Megan Whalen Turner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1427740839l/448873._SY75_.jpg|1069505], which is a whole new book to me now, and probably the rest of the series as I work my way through it again in 2021)
Honorable Mention: [b:Westmark|24783|Westmark (Westmark, #1)|Lloyd Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415388210l/24783._SY75_.jpg|2994137] by Lloyd Alexander (and sequels [b:The Kestrel|26571|The Kestrel (Westmark, #2)|Lloyd Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415046969l/26571._SY75_.jpg|2188707] and [b:The Beggar Queen|116435|The Beggar Queen (Westmark, #3)|Lloyd Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309213317l/116435._SY75_.jpg|1271717]), as well the entirety of A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (2020 has been the year of re-reading)
Worst Re-Encounter:
A once-beloved book that wasn't quite as good as I remembered
[b:The Perilous Gard|195381|The Perilous Gard|Elizabeth Marie Pope|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441373154l/195381._SY75_.jpg|2210482] by Elizabeth Marie Pope
It Isn't You, It's Me:
A book I didn't really enjoy or didn't quite "get," but I suspect I'm missing something
[b:Under the Net|11324|Under the Net|Iris Murdoch|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388423609l/11324._SY75_.jpg|3257831] by Iris Murdoch
From the Jaws of Defeat:
A book that almost bested me, but I made it through and it was worth it
[b:Manservant and Maidservant|410138|Manservant and Maidservant|Ivy Compton-Burnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347762256l/410138._SY75_.jpg|399423] by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Honorable Mention: [b:The Group|387348|The Group|Mary McCarthy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545419472l/387348._SX50_.jpg|1496165] by Mary McCarthy
Exceeded Expectations:
A book that was even better than my high hopes
[b:If on a Winter's Night a Traveler|374233|If on a Winter's Night a Traveler|Italo Calvino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528312857l/374233._SY75_.jpg|1116802] by Italo Calvino and [b:The Charioteer|67699|The Charioteer|Mary Renault|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389484698l/67699._SY75_.jpg|2758240] by Mary Renault
Honorable Mention: [b:The Phantom Tollbooth|378|The Phantom Tollbooth|Norton Juster|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558858485l/378._SX50_.jpg|1782584] by Norton Juster
Best Surprise:
A book for which I had low or no expectations that absolutely blew me away
[b:How Much of These Hills Is Gold|45895362|How Much of These Hills Is Gold|C. Pam Zhang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566270729l/45895362._SY75_.jpg|62220397] by C. Pam Zhang
Honorable Mention: [b:The Professor's House|48203|The Professor's House|Willa Cather|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328729214l/48203._SY75_.jpg|342924] by Willa Cather
Worst Surprise:
A book for which I had high expectations that was a big disappointment
[b:The Two Faces of January|385078|The Two Faces of January|Patricia Highsmith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347671144l/385078._SY75_.jpg|374805] by Patricia Highsmith (and that's your second year in a row taking this trophy, Pat - do we need to have a talk?)
Biggest Stinker:
A book that was all-around bleh
[b:The City of Your Final Destination|8044380|The City of Your Final Destination|Peter Cameron|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408325161l/8044380._SX50_.jpg|261980] by Peter Cameron
(Dis)honorable Mention: [b:The End of the Affair|29641|The End of the Affair|Graham Greene|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328010344l/29641._SY75_.jpg|267229] by Graham Greene
Best of SFF:
The sci-fi/fantasy highlight of the year
[b:A Memory Called Empire|37794149|A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan #1)|Arkady Martine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526486698l/37794149._SY75_.jpg|59457173] by Arkady Martine and [b:Return of the Thief|11503920|Return of the Thief (The Queen's Thief, #6)|Megan Whalen Turner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531833605l/11503920._SY75_.jpg|16439607] by Megan Whalen Turner
Loveliest Listening:
A book I'm particularly glad I experienced as an audiobook
[b:Amberlough|29939270|Amberlough (The Amberlough Dossier, #1)|Lara Elena Donnelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462547662l/29939270._SY75_.jpg|50329881] by Lara Elena Donnelly (and sequels [b:Armistice|35427530|Armistice (The Amberlough Dossier, #2)|Lara Elena Donnelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506181224l/35427530._SX50_.jpg|56805208] and [b:Amnesty|39863305|Amnesty (The Amberlough Dossier, #3)|Lara Elena Donnelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530055947l/39863305._SX50_.jpg|56805212]) for absolutely fabulous narration and characterization by Mary Robinette Kowal
Honorable Mention: [b:The Privilege of the Sword|821583|The Privilege of the Sword (Riverside, #2)|Ellen Kushner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389595637l/821583._SY75_.jpg|4003] by Ellen Kushner, mostly for Kushner's own fantastic reading in this "illuminated audiobook"
Guiltiest Pleasure:
A book that may not have enriched my intellect, but definitely made me smile
[b:Slippery Creatures|52237989|Slippery Creatures (The Will Darling Adventures #1)|K.J. Charles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587519719l/52237989._SY75_.jpg|77319427] by K. J. Charles (and sequel [b:The Sugared Game|52237997|The Sugared Game (The Will Darling Adventures #2)|K.J. Charles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1595250042l/52237997._SY75_.jpg|77319499]; I can hardly wait for the final installment this summer)
Honorable Mention: [b:The Castle of Otranto|12923|The Castle of Otranto|Horace Walpole|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1390597628l/12923._SY75_.jpg|46432] by Horace Walpole
So Glad It Was Assigned:
A fantastic book I read for school that I would probably never have picked up on my own
[b:Ways of Dying|95826|Ways of Dying (Toloki #1)|Zakes Mda|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312004397l/95826._SX50_.jpg|92359] by Zakes Mda
Best Laugh:
A book that caused me public embarrassment
[b:Holidays on Ice|4136|Holidays on Ice|David Sedaris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328330843l/4136._SX50_.jpg|674383] by David Sedaris
Honorable Mention: [b:Reginald|6818303|Reginald|Saki|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1266899479l/6818303._SY75_.jpg|7027035] by Saki
Best Cry:
A book that caused me a different kind of public embarrassment
[b:How Much of These Hills Is Gold|45895362|How Much of These Hills Is Gold|C. Pam Zhang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566270729l/45895362._SY75_.jpg|62220397] by C. Pam Zhang
Honorable Mention: [b:A Memory Called Empire|37794149|A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan #1)|Arkady Martine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526486698l/37794149._SY75_.jpg|59457173] by Arkady Martine
Best New Author:
The best author I read for the first time in 2020
[a:Mary Renault|38185|Mary Renault|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1378247630p2/38185.jpg]
Honorable Mentions: [a:C Pam Zhang|21029784|C Pam Zhang|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Arkady Martine|13803582|Arkady Martine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1517495486p2/13803582.jpg]
Book of the Year:
Whether because it was the best reading experience, gave me the most to think about, or was the most productively frustrating, the book I'm most glad to have read in 2020
[b:The Charioteer|67699|The Charioteer|Mary Renault|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389484698l/67699._SY75_.jpg|2758240] by Mary Renault
unphilosophize's review
4.0
This book was so fast paced!
It follows a lot of different characters, but I felt that they were all fairly represented.
Kinda just the French Revolution?
Really enjoyed, dark for middle grade though
SO MUCH DEATH AND PLOTTING
It follows a lot of different characters, but I felt that they were all fairly represented.
Kinda just the French Revolution?
Really enjoyed, dark for middle grade though
SO MUCH DEATH AND PLOTTING
belleanndthebook's review
4.5
This book was marvelous. It very much had French Revolution vibes, and was about the transition in Westmark from a monarchy to a self-governed state. (Don’t worry, there is still plenty of action.) My one complaint is that the resolution felt a bit rushed, but overall, I felt satisfied with the ending.
spaceyfaerie's review
5.0
Wow. This last book...just...wow. Amazing!!!! Perfect ending to the trilogy, full of twists and turns and just classic Lloyd Alexander story.
Loved it!!!
Loved it!!!